Ivan “Banjo” Fontánez

Ivan is a multifaceted creative force whose journey spans music, art, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Ivan’s artistic instincts blossomed early, leading him to study art and develop a deep passion for music. After moving to Minnesota in the early 2000s to complete his education, he returned to Puerto Rico, where he played a pivotal role in launching one of the island’s premier creative agencies, mastering all aspects of marketing and advertising. A self-starter and lifelong learner, Ivan has co-founded multiple ventures, including Happi Media (a boutique marketing agency), Happigreat Group (a full-service marketing agency and holding company), HappiOutdoors (an outdoor products company, creator of the HAPPI Cooler), Tropic Tech Valley (an app development company, creator of the LinkBytez app), and Diario AFA (an early bilingual educational products company). Now based in Minneapolis, Ivan continues to push boundaries, blending strategy with creativity and embodying his mantra as a doer, producer, and creator.